Kirkwood planned to unveil his proposal today, but he soon called off a news conference after some officials cited concerns about the plan.

The night court plan, he said, could whittle the jail population by 100 inmates, help maintain a reduced jail population and save taxpayers $1.6 million annually in inmate costs.

"Arthur Ware called me yesterday and was just furious. I guess he had some success in causing enough cold feet that we're calling the press conference off. What I am going to request is that we hold a workshop in April sometime," Kirkwood said Wednesday. "We cannot continue the way we are going to have the jails maxed out and keep raising taxes."

Kirkwood said he initially approached 181st District Judge John Board and other judges to discuss the proposal, which he said was well-received.

"We all agreed to have a press conference and to do it. In a matter of just 24 to 48 hours, the mood switches over and people are a little nervous about it," he said.

The commissioner said, however, his proposal has provoked discussion about a serious problem and that good will come of it.

"The court system is just antiquated and it's just got to move forward. It's a situation, and you've got some judges that really want to tackle it and go at it. You've got others that are like, we think it's fine the way it is," he said.

Kirkwood's proposal would not create a new court but could use rotating judges to hear criminal cases at night.

Judge Ware said commissioners have not discussed the plan, and he questioned its cost-effectiveness.

"I'm not negative about it, but it's got to be discussed with a lot of people before you have a news conference and try to implement this thing," he said.

Commissioner Bill Thomas said the jail population has dipped to about 500 inmates but said any proposal to reduce the number of inmates should be considered.

"That's our biggest expense. It ties up the courts," he said. "It's a positive move, whether night court is the answer or not, I can't answer you that. But at least we've got some conversation going."

District Judge Hal Miner of 47th District Court said judges are working to ease jail overcrowding. But he said judges are limited in their ability to clear cases until a case is indicted and assigned to a specific court.

"I think the night court idea is an idea worth talking about. There's a lot of unanswered questions. It may not work, but it's worth talking about, and it has started the discussion," he said.

Miner and Judge Board credited county commissioners with budgeting money for visiting district judges to hear cases and clear up court dockets. Both judges also said they and their colleagues are working to eliminate a backlog of jail cases.

"We've all done some of that, trying to move these cases," 108th District Judge Abe Lopez said.

District Judge Pat Pirtle of 251st District Court said he hasn't discussed the proposal with Kirkwood but said overcrowding could be reduced by other ways.

"I think it's not a very well-thought-out plan. It depends on what your motive is for wanting it. If jail overcrowding is the issue, then what we need to do, we need to utilize the visiting judge system," he said.

Pirtle said the proposal doesn't address the need for district clerks, bailiffs, sheriff's deputies, court reporters and other staff to run a night court system.

He noted that some courts, like his, travel to Randall County, and courtrooms, and various court personnel could be better used during normal business hours.

"There are alternatives that are, in my opinion, more viable than night court," he said. "I think it would be a terrible inconvenience to jurors."

David Sirmon, Kirkwood's opponent in Tuesday's GOP primary, questioned the staffing needs and costs required to implement a night court. He also said some jurors might not want to serve night jury duty.

"He didn't think that through very well," Sirmon said. "The problem with doing night court is you still have to have the court personnel there."

Sirmon also said Kirkwood has previously discussed his plan with judges and others, but questioned its timing before Tuesday's election.

"I'm sure it was a last-minute, right-before-the-election deal," he said.

The Globe-News was unable to reach 47th District Attorney Rebecca King or 320th District Judge Don Emerson for comment Wednesday.

Judge Board said implementing a night court merits some in-depth review to help solve jail overcrowding.

"Certainly I think all the district judges are willing to look at any solution that anybody would recommend," Board said. "I think there are a number of hurdles we would have to clear in order to make it work. That's not to say it's unworkable. I just think it does merit everybody getting together in county government to discuss the proposal."